Los Angeles , California -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Jesse James ' Nazi hat was a gift from a Jewish mentor and does not make him a neo-Nazi , his lawyer said Wednesday .

James is at a treatment facility `` to deal with personal issues '' in a bid to save his marriage to actress Sandra Bullock , a spokeswoman for James said .

`` He realized that this time was crucial to help himself , help his family and help save his marriage , '' she said .

A photo recently surfaced of James wearing the German Nazi hat as he raised his right arm in a salute . The hat may have been in poor taste , but it was given to James as a gag gift by his Jewish godfather , attorney Joe Yanny said .

Possessing Nazi memorabilia does not make someone a neo-Nazi , he said .

As evidence that James is no anti-Semite , Yanny said James lived for nearly a month in an Israeli kibbutz . His lawyer would not disclose what kind of treatment the famous motorcycle designer is seeking .

`` I would request that his rights in regards to privacy and his medical matters be respected , '' said Yanny .

James has been the target of controversy and publicity since his separation with Bullock soon after she won a best actress Oscar earlier this month .

Yanny refused to talk about the condition of the James-Bullock marriage , which came under question when several women went public with claims they were involved with him .

`` I understand people 's desire in newsworthy stories , but I would hope that by now this was n't such a newsworthy story such that his basic rights and privacy are n't continuously invaded in an improper manner , '' Yanny told CNN .

He said `` 99 percent '' of what has published about James in recent weeks is untrue .

CNN 's Brittany Kaplan contributed to this report .

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Nazi hat was given to James as a gag gift by his Jewish godfather , lawyer says

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Possessing Nazi memorabilia does not make someone a neo-Nazi , lawyer adds

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Spokeswoman says James is at treatment facility `` to deal with personal issues ''

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James separated from Sandra Bullock soon after she won a best actress Oscar